NASTY BUSINESS
by Peter Paradis
(Published 2002 1st Canadian Edition by HarperCollins Publishers,
Price 34.95 CAN, 247 pp, Illustrated)

The biker life has fascinated me, and many others, and during
the 1990s the biker life fascinated most Canadians. During this
time period a biker gang war (although the Rock Machine really
isn't a biker gang, as most members don't own bikes) raged
throughout Montreal between the infamous Hells Angels and
the new gang on the block the Rock Machine. The Rock Machine
controlled a fair amount of the drug trade and the Angels didn't
think that was right so all hell broke out.

Enter Peter Paradis, the author. Peter starts out as a small
time, non-affiliated, drug dealer. He knows the people in this
world and he knows how to deal with them and this gets him
noticed by the Rock Machine. He joins the gang and as a new
member is relegated to not only continuing the selling of drugs
but take his turns watching the clubhouse and other mundane
day to day gang duties. But, as Peter knows you gotta do what
you gotta do. From this he works his way up the ladder in the
gang, battling Hells (as they are referred to by Peter and
other French gang members) and turncoats. He is almost
assassinated at one point, then when he gets to the end
of his rope he turns to the police (as alot of gangsters are
wont to do) to swing a deal.

Paradis gives us a great view into the biker world, all
aspects. If you're interested in these types of gangs then
you'll have to get your hands on this title. Quick read,
great character study. Highly recommended.